Volleyball setters are like football quarterbacks and basketball point guards. They have a chance to lead because of their position, but that doesnt automatically make them leaders. Illinois State volleyball coach Sharon Dingman thinks she has a setter who is a leader in junior Kelly Rikli.
After playing behind all-Missouri Valley Conference setter Becky Weber for most of 2001, the Highlands Ranch (Colo.) High School graduate took over the starting job a year ago and put up good numbers--she is one of three Redbird setters to collect 1200 set assists as a sophomore. Now, Dingman sees much more in her setter.
The best teams Ive had as a coach have always had great setters who were great leaders, said Dingman, who is in her 13th season as a head coach. Kelly is like that. She brings everything to the court that a player and a leader needs to bring.
Rikli will lead the Redbirds in a public scrimmage at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, and when they start the regular season against Illinois Aug. 29 at Redbird Arena in the Barker GMC Classic.
A tribute to her dedication to training is Riklis adding 2 1/2 to 3 inches to her vertical jump since last year.
It tells you something when a player makes that kind of improvement on her vertical jump at her age, Dingman said. She stayed in town for the summer, worked out and worked hard on her game. Kelly gets it. She knows what leadership is on the court and shes giving it to us. Its verbal and its in her actions and its great to watch.
Her teammates are impressed as well. Freshman Jessie Janik sees what Rikli means to the team.
Kelly came back so strong and so ready to take her game to the next level, Janik said. She and Staci (Boyce) are giving us leadership that the team needs.
Junior Amber Rogers, who came into the Redbird program with Rikli, claims her classmates confidence has always been there ... she just shows it more now.
Kelly has confidence at all times, Rogers said. She always knew she could play at this level and now I think the team is seeing her confidence more than ever.
